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Michael Gannon: Everyone knows Celtic need to get their finger out when it comes to their defence, but Rangers could also do with more in attack while St Mirren need to add a bit of quality or they will be in real bother this season. But every Premiership boss will be searching for last minute deals.

How important is Sunday’s derby showdown in the context of the season for both clubs?

DM: It’s a massive match. A real opportunity for either team to lay down a serious marker. For Rangers, it’s all about maintaining momentum and putting doubt into Celtic heads. For the hosts, it’s a chance to show they are still top dogs.

CS: Massive. If Celtic win it, they’ll take wind out of the Rangers sails. If the Ibrox team get a win at Parkhead, it will do wonders for their confidence and morale. It’s a huge game.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

GW: Huge. If Celtic win then it puts down a marker as it being business as usual in the title race. A Rangers triumph will be a statement of intent and a massive and much needed psychological boost.

MG: Massive. Celtic have been coming apart at the seams in recent weeks while Rangers have got their act together. A Celtic win would stamp out their authority while a Gers victory at Parkhead would set the tone for a proper title ding-dong.

Are Celtic and Rangers both heading in to the Europa League group stage?

DM: It’ll be tight and tense for Rangers, but there’s a resilience about Gerard’s team that will see them grind it out. Certainly, if they score in Russia, they won’t concede three. Celtic are far better than the Lithuanians and will win by at least three goals on their home patch.

CS: Let’s hope both of them make it. Celtic should take care of the Lithuanians and the way Rangers managed to clean sheet at Ibrox gives them an outstanding chance of finishing the job in Ufa. Fingers crossed for both. The country needs it for prestige and the rigours of extra games can help the pack stay close to them in the league.

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GW: Yes. Both clubs know they are facing teams who aren’t at their level but Rangers may need to score and they’re more than capable of doing that.

MG: Thursday nights are going to be busy in the next few months. Rangers have shown they can hold firm under fire on the road. They will slam up the shutters out in Russia and secure the goalless draw to get to the to the groups. Celtic have more than enough firepower to see off Suduva without any drama.

Should Peter Hartley be carpeted by the SFA for saying it was fun to see Fabio Cardoso suffer a broken nose?

DM: Hartley was stupid and he was crass with his comments, but the fact he apologised so quickly should be taken into account. Maybe a suspended sentence, where he’d be punished if he does anything like that again, would be suitable as opposed to hammering him now.

(Image: SNS)

CS: No he shouldn’t. We want players to say what they think and, whether you agree with his actions or not, he did that. He’s been caned publicly and his club have kicked his backside. The SFA have better things to be getting on with.

GW: Yes. It was a stupid remark and should be addressed as it was a severe lack of judgement and a lack of respect which brought himself and his club into disrepute.

MG: Hartley’s attempt at a bit of fighting talk was a bit silly but he realised right away he’d crossed a line. He apologised, Steven Gerrard accepted it. The game will be up the lum if we are going to ban folk for just saying daft stuff. Let’s move on.